Flyers notes: Sources: Back, leg injuries fell Pronger

Chris Pronger missed Game 2 of the Flyers' semifinal series against Boston on Monday night.

The Flyers have not disclosed the reason for Pronger's absence, but sources indicate Pronger injured his back either at the end of the Buffalo series or the start of this series and now also has a hamstring injury, which made it impossible for him to play.

Pronger left Game 1 of this series nearing the two-minute remaining mark of the third period and did not return. He appeared to be fine on Sunday, though moving with a slight limp, which is not uncommon for any player this time of year.

Could he have pulled his hamstring while favoring his back? That seems to be one possibility here. The Flyers arent talking, but Pronger is expected to return to the series for Game 3 on Wednesday in Boston.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren would not comment other than to say the defenseman has an undisclosed injury.

The only thing we know for sure is that Pronger recently returned to the lineup after recovering from a fracture in his right hand.

Pronger was not listed on the clubs daily injury update, which included Jeff Carter (right knee) and Andreas Nodl (right eye), both of whom were listed as day to day. Pronger missed the morning skate, but Holmgren at the time, via text message, said he was healthy.

911 tribute
With the news of the death of Osama bin Laden, the Flyers had a color guard of Marines flanked by Philadelphia police and firemen to open the pregame singing of God Bless America with Lauren Hart and Kate Smith. How apropos that an American, James van Riemsdyk, would score the games first goal. Then, during the first TV stoppage, the Jumbotron had a montage of 911 remembrances accompanied by Lee Greenwood singing, Proud to be an American.

"It was great," Claude Giroux said. "I had some goosebumps, and it got me going a little bit."

A good tie
Peter Laviolettes bright, orange Geoffrey Beene ties he wore during the four wins in the Buffalo series are now on silent auction through Flyers Charities. Each tie comes with a 28 x 38 authentic lineup card from the corresponding game. Proceeds from this auction go to Flyers Charities. Fans can bid at ComcastSpectacorFoundation.org. The framed piece is on display at the Flyers Charities kiosk behind section 116 during Flyers home games. The bidding ends Friday, May 13 at noon.

Shots
The 22 shots by the Flyers in the third period is a new franchise record for shots in a period of a playoff game at home. The previous record was 20, last done in the second period of Game 2 of the1980 semifinals vs. Minnesota. The Flyers' overall record is 28 on the road at Pittsburgh in first period of Game 3 of the 1997 conference quarterfinals.

Loose pucks
Boston suffered a tough loss on defense when Adam McQuaid went head and neck first into the back boards on a botched check. Mike Richards stepped aside as McQauid came racing into him at the left post. McQuaid reached out to elbow Richards, missed, and crashed awkwardly into the boards head and neck first. Although he had to be helped off the ice, he did not incur a serious spinal injury. When Brian Boucher left the game, Johan Backlund the third Flyer goalie in the series left the press box for the dressing room. He could dress there if needed, but he could not go to the bench without the Flyers officially pulling Boucher from the game. So Backlund remained in the dressing room. The Flyers are 3-13 all-time in a playoff series when trailing 2-0. One of the three wins was last years Eastern Conference semifinal vs. Boston. The Flyers 54 shots were a season high. They had 46 shots in Game 6 against Buffalo. Richards had 10 shots on goal, the second Flyer to do so this postseason (van Riemsdyk, 10 vs. Buffalo in Game 6).